THE short-term future of Bathurst’s Tucker Van could be decided tonight.
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Bathurst Regional Council will consider a request for financial support from the Tucker Van at tonight’s monthly meeting.
If successful, it could be council’s first significant donation to the van that hands out free hot meals to the region’s needy.
In his report to councillors, corporate services and finance director Bob Roach notes the van hands out around 300 meals a week, with 40 per cent going to children aged under 12.
“To maintain and even increase this service in the community, the organisation is requesting financial support in order to keep this service operational,” Mr Roach said.
“The director of the organisation [David Buckby] has stated it costs $20,000 per year to keep the Tucker Van in operation and that unless funding is received it will cease to operate in September 2014.”
Mr Buckby’s submission to council outlines the services provided by the Tucker Van.
It also says welfare agencies have identified a growing number of people affected by homelessness and disadvantage in the Bathurst region.
“On a daily basis, service and welfare organisations encounter people who are homeless and disadvantaged and in need of material aid,” the submission states.
“The Bathurst Tucker Van was designed to add to the existing assistance given to homeless and disadvantaged people in partnership with current programs run by other welfare organisations.
“We do this by providing access to a hot meal four nights per week and also providing frozen meals to any individual in need who contacts us.
“Our clients also receive assistance from our volunteers through conversation and referral to other welfare organisations.”
Mr Buckby’s formal request to council does not specify the amount he is seeking for the Tucker Van, but Mr Roach said any donation would come from council’s Section 356 fund, which currently has a balance of $17,274.
Mr Roach said council had previously given the Tucker Van $500 in its 2012-13 management plan.